These researchers use data from monozygotic twins and the Current Population Survey and find that marriage causes men’s wages to rise. After controlling for educational attainment, first wage, and family size, they find that married men earn wages ranging from 19 to 26 percent higher than wages of unmarried men.

Are all the good men married? Uncovering the sources of the marital wage premium. American Economic Review 94 (May): 317-21.